Training and coordination device

ABSTRACT

A training and coordination device including a projectile member such as a ball or sack secured to an elastic string is described. The first end of the elastic string is attached to a location and the second end is connected to the projectile member. At least an end portion of the elastic string secure to the projectile member comprises multiple strands of an odd number. The multiple strands of the elastic string in conjunction with the elasticity of the string generate a random motion of the sack when the sack moves relative to the string.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to generally to a training and coordinationdevice and more particularly to a martial arts attack sack with multiplemechanical parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years the public has become increasingly aware of theimportance of physical fitness. Concurrent with this trend is theincreasing popularity and participation in the martial arts, such askarate. In the past training for sports such as martial arts, baseballor practicing for carnival games like bottle toss can be tedious orcostly. Studying the martial arts requires extensive and constantexercising not only to learn the different movements but to developcoordination, various muscles and quick reflexes. While several deviceshave been developed and are currently on the market for use in physicaldevelopment, such devices do little in aiding one in coordination andquickening his reflexes. Additionally the available devices are not costeffective, are very tedious to carry around and require additionalexercises that make the study of the martial arts a difficult andlaborious process. It would therefore be highly desirable to develop acost effective, multifaceted training and coordination device.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a training and coordination device andmethod of improving coordination of a user with the training andcoordination device. In one embodiment, the training and coordinationdevice comprises a projectile member and an elastic string. Theprojectile member may comprise a ball or a sack containing a filling. Aloop is attached to a section of the projectile member. The elasticstring has a length within the range of 4-15 feet and includes a firstend and a second end. The first end may be attached to a fixed locationor movably supported and the second end is connected to the loop portionof the projectile member or sack. At least a portion of the elasticstring extending up to the second end comprises a multi-strand portionwhich may be formed by threading the second end of the string throughthe loop portion and looping it back on itself, knotting it together ata location spaced from the second end to leave a free end portion thenattaching the free end portion to the loop to form three strands.Additional strands may be formed by threading back through the loopportion and re-knotting repeatedly until a desired number of strands(odd or even) are formed. In one embodiment, an odd number of strandsare provided. The multi-strand portion may alternatively be formed by aplurality of separate strands knotted to the end of the string. Theknots and multi-strand portion of the elastic string in conjunction withthe elasticity of the string generate a random motion of the sack whenthe sack moves relative to the string.

In some embodiments, a method for improving coordination skills of auser with the training and coordination device is described. The methodcan be implemented as a game or as a training tool. The method startswith a user making a first contact with the training and coordinationdevice. As previously described, the training and coordination deviceincludes a projectile member such as a sack or ball and an elasticstring. Making contact with the training and coordination deviceincludes making contact with the sack. The sack is set into a randommotion due to the first contact made by the user. The multiple strandend portion and knots of the string in conjunction with the elasticityof the string generate a random motion of the sack when the sack movesrelative to the string. Finally, the user moves to make further contactwith the sack as it moves away from the point of the first contact wherethe further contact is made prior to the sack returning to a restposition.

In yet another embodiment, a method for improving coordination skills ofa user with the training and coordination device is described. Themethod can be implemented as a game or as a training tool. The methodstarts with a plurality of users assembling around the training andcoordination device where the training and coordination device includesa sack and a string. A user of a plurality of users makes a firstcontact with training and coordination device using at least oneallowable predetermined body part and avoiding contact with other bodyparts. The sack is set into a random motion due to the first contactmade by the user. Any of the plurality of users makes contact with thetraining and coordination device with at least one allowablepredetermined body part.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewingthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure andoperation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings,in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an example illustration of the unassembled components of oneembodiment of the training and coordination device;

FIG. 2 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device of FIG. 1 in a rest position;

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device in an active position;

FIGS. 4A through 4F are example illustrations of making contact,avoiding contact and targeting functions of the training andcoordination device.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a designated area for interacting withthe training and coordination device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for improving coordinationskills of a user with the training and coordination device.

FIG. 7 is another flow chart of an exemplary method for improvingcoordination skills of a user with the training and coordination device.

FIGS. 8A through 8Z include example illustrations of the multiplemartial arts maneuvers for making contact with the training andcoordination device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is directed to a training and coordination device andmethods of improving the coordination of a user. After reading thisdescription, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how toimplement the invention in various alternative embodiments andalternative applications. Although various embodiments of the presentinvention are described herein, it is understood that these embodimentsare presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, thisdetailed description of various alternative embodiments should not beconstrued to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as setforth in the appended claims.

In the past training for sports such as martial arts, baseball orpracticing for carnival games like bottle toss can be tedious or costly.The training and coordination device described herein is a costeffective training device that can be interacted within a single spotand without having to constantly retrieve the training and coordinationdevice. For martial arts training this combines a speed bag sack with anew random factor that keeps you guessing and provides more realistictraining. The training and coordination device is small, elastic andhangs from a fixed location such as a ceiling or a tree. The trainingand coordination device improves martial arts skills by allowing playersto practice their skills with full force and little to no risk ofdamaging themselves or others in the process of practice. The trainingand coordination device improves upon an ancient version which was asmall rock hanging from a piece of silk. The ancient training device ofthe Shaolin Temple was static not dynamic and was hard on the body,whereas the training and coordination device described herein is activeand easy on the hands.

FIG. 1 is an example illustration of one embodiment of the unassembledcomponents of the training and coordination device 10. In someembodiments the training and coordination device can be implemented foruse in a game or for training purposes. The training and coordinationdevice 10 includes a projectile member 20 which may be a ball, a sack, abean bag, or the like and a string 30 such as an elastic string. Theprojectile member 20 may be a sack or enclosure filled with a suitablefilling material, as illustrated in the drawings, or may be any type ofball or other projectile member suitable for impact or throwing by auser. In one embodiment, the projectile member 20 is a sack composed ofcloth or woven material but other materials may be used in alternativeembodiment such as synthetic fabric materials, plastic, leather, or thelike. In one embodiment, the sack comprises an outer portion orenclosure containing a stuffing. The stuffing may be composed of seeds,beans, small plastic pellets and small wooden pellets, for example. Inone embodiment, a small loop 25 of string, elastic or other suitablematerial, for example, is attached to the projectile member 20 forengaging the string 30. The small loop 25 of string or elastic can besewn to the outer portion of the projectile member 20 (e.g., sack). Insome embodiments at least a portion of the projectile member 20 isreinforced, with the small loop 25 of string, elastic or other suitablematerial attached to the reinforced portion.

The string 30 can be made of various materials including polyester,rubber and elastic. In some embodiments, the string 30 is non-elastic.The elastic string creates bounce and adds to the movement towards andaway from a user 40. In some embodiments, the length of the string 30 iswithin the range of 4 to 15 feet. The length of the string 30 can varyaccording to the circumstances for which the string 30 is used. Forexample, the length of the string 30 can be longer to accommodatemultiple users or for attaching to a high ceiling and/or tree. Thestring 30 includes a first end and a second end. The first end isattached to the fixed location such as a ceiling or a tree. In someembodiments, the training and coordination device 10 can be attached toa mobile location to further enhance the coordination skills of a user40. A location loop 45 such as a small loop of string, elastic or othersuitable material may be attached to the first end for engaging thefixed or mobile location.

The second end of the training and coordination device 10 is attacheddirectly or indirectly to the projectile member 20 (e.g., sack) via thesmall loop 25 of string or elastic, for example. A string loop 35 suchas a small loop of string, elastic or other suitable material may beattached to the second end for engaging the projectile member 20. Thestring 30 includes a single, uninterrupted strand extending from thefirst end attached to the location loop 45 towards the second end, and amultiple strand portion 15 which extends from the single, uninterruptedstrand up to the second end of the string and is attached to the smallloop 25, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, multiplestrand portion 15 is attached to string loop 35 which in turn isattached to small loop 25 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The multiple strandsmay comprise separate strands which are each knotted at one end to theremainder of the string at junction 18 and knotted to string loop 35 ordirectly to small loop 25 at the other end. Alternatively, the multiplestrands may be formed by threading a length of the string 30 throughsmall loop 25, bending the length of the string back on itself andknotting it at junction 18 to leave a free end, bending the free endback again and either securing it to the small loop 25 or threading itthrough the small loop 25 and re-knotting it at junction 18 to formadditional separate strands. The latter arrangement adds further randommotion to the path of the projectile member 20 when struck or thrown. Insome embodiments, the string 30 is threaded through the small loop 25and rethreaded through its own end. The knotting and multi-strand endportion 15 creates randomness and unique reactions when contact is madewith the training and coordination device 10. In some embodiments, onlyan end portion 15 of the string 30 is knotted or arranged to formmultiple strands, while in others the entire string may be multiplestrands. In our embodiment, the multi strand portion 15 is about one totwo feet in length. There may be an odd number of strands in end portion15 as illustrated while in other embodiments there is an even number ofstrands. The odd or even number of strings at the second end where thestring 30 engages the projectile member 20 makes the projectile member20 move in an unpredictable way. The elasticity of the string 30 causesthe projectile member 20 to move away from a current position in, forexample recoil motion, when contact is made with the projectile member20, thereby contributing to the randomness or unpredictability of theprojectile member 20 movement.

FIG. 2 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device 10 in a rest position. In the assembledstate, the training and coordination device 10 includes the projectilemember 20 (e.g., sack) coupled to the second end of the string 30 viathe small loop 25 of string. In the rest position as illustrated in FIG.2, the training and coordination device 10 is in a substantiallyvertical position with the first end of the string 30 hanging from afixed or mobile location, for example, and the projectile member 20hanging from the second end of the string 30. The training andcoordination device 10 is configured to return to its rest positionafter contact is made with the training and coordination device 10.

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device 10 in an active position. The trainingand coordination device 10 is in an active state when a user 40, forexample, makes contact with it. Making contact with the training andcoordination device 10 generally includes kicking, punching, slapping orthrowing the projectile member 20 (e.g., sack) of the training andcoordination thereby setting it off on a random motion as illustrated inFIG. 3, and causing the string 30 to spiral randomly. In the activeposition the projectile member 20 continues to move rapidly and randomlyand eventually settles in a rest position if no further contact is made.

FIGS. 4A through 4F are example illustrations of making contact,avoiding contact and targeting functions of the training andcoordination device. FIG. 4A illustrates a user 40 avoiding contact ordodging the projectile member 20 (e.g., sack) when the training andcoordination device. In one implementation the user 40 dodges theprojectile member 20 to avoid contact with the rapidly and randomlymoving projectile member 20 to improve coordination or to avoid negativepoints in a game. In one embodiment the user 40 avoids contact with theprojectile member 20 after making contact with the projectile member 20or after a different user 40 makes contact with the projectile member20. A user 40 may be eliminated from training or a game when the user 40exceeds a threshold of negative points. FIG. 4B illustrates a user 40making contact with the projectile member 20 by punching the projectilemember 20. In other embodiments the user 40 can make contact with theprojectile member 20 by kicking the projectile member 20 or catching theprojectile member 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D respectively. Thetraining and coordination device 10 can be utilized for trainingexercise and games. In one embodiment, a game implementation involvesusers 40 making contact or avoiding contact with the ball in an attemptto influence the balls movement in order to create a result (game play)or train a skill (martial arts games such as kung fu games). Some of thesimplest games include a “single user toss” or “solo toss.” In thisimplementation the single user 40 stands directly below where thetraining and coordination device is affixed to the ceiling, for example,and throws the projectile member 20 away from the user 40. Theprojectile member 20 returns rapidly and randomly and the player catchesthe projectile member 20 and throws the projectile member 20 again. Inother embodiments, the projectile member 20 is tossed toward a target.In this implementation a target point is selected or a target point iselected or hung on a wall. Examples of the targets are illustrated inFIGS. 4E and 4F. In FIG. 4E the projectile member 20 is propelled towarda target hole formed by a rope and in FIG. 4F a target spot isimplemented on a wall or a piece of paper. In some embodiments, if theuser 40 misses the target, they may take one or more steps forwards orbackwards making aiming or throwing of the projectile member 20 towardsthe target harder or easier. In other embodiments, the user 40 isblindfolded or has their eyes closed during a game or training session.In one embodiment, a game or training session can be initiated byserving the training and coordination device including making contactwith the projectile member 20 in a predefined routine, such contactingthe projectile member 20 with the sole of the foot. In some embodiments,the device 10 may be used in a game or training session with multipleparticipants or users. In one example, one of the participants standsfacing into a circle formed by the participants around the training andcoordination device and throws the projectile member 20 over theirshoulder and out of the circle whereupon game play starts when adifferent user or participant 40 makes contact with the projectilemember 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a designated area for interacting withthe training and coordination device. The game play circle of thisillustration includes a game play area with an inner circle that users40 can surround and an outer circle indicating the maximum area forimplementing the game. In some embodiments, the total length of thestring 30 determines the size of the inner and outer circle andsubsequently determines the maximum number of users per game. The numberof users can be as many as would fit in the game play circle. In someembodiments the user 40 makes contact with the projectile member 20(e.g., sack) while outside and/or inside the circumference of the gameplay circle.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for improving coordinationskills of a user 40 with the training and coordination device. Themethod can be implemented as a game or as a training tool. At block 600the method starts with a user 40 making a first contact with thetraining and coordination device 10 including a projectile member 20(e.g., sack) and a string 30 (e.g., elastic string). Making contact withthe training and coordination device 10 includes making contact with theprojectile member 20. When the user makes contact with the projectilemember 20, the elasticity of the string 30 in conjunction with themultiple strand end portion 15 generate a random motion of theprojectile member 20 when the projectile member 20 moves relative to thestring 30. The process then continues to block 610 where the projectilemember 20 is set into a random motion due to the first contact made bythe user 40. Finally at block 620, the user 40 moves to make furthercontact with the projectile member 20 as it moves away from the point ofthe first contact where the further contact is made prior to theprojectile member 20 returning to a rest position. In general makingcontact with the projectile member 20 includes tossing the projectilemember 20, tossing the projectile member 20 toward a specific target,catching the projectile member 20, punching the projectile member 20,kicking the projectile member 20, blocking the projectile member 20,striking the projectile member 20, tagging the projectile member 20,serving the projectile member 20 and hitting the projectile member 20.These skills allow users to overcome other users' defenses and advancethe user's martial arts skills. In some embodiments the user 40 takesone or more steps forward to make a first or second contact with theprojectile member 20. In some embodiments, the user 40 makes a contactwith the projectile member 20 and follows up with subsequent contacts asthe ball moves away from the user 40. The user 40 can continue to makecontact with the projectile member 20 while staying put or movingforward until the user 40 cannot make contact with the projectile member20 or maintain a realistic distance from the rest position of thetraining and coordination device, for example. In some embodiments, theuser 40 is situated at a point on the outside of the game play circle orat any point on the circle where the user 40 can reach the projectilemember 20. The user makes contact with the projectile member 20 andattempts to avoid being hit by the sack's recoil while keeping theprojectile member 20 in front of the user 40. In other embodiments,making contact with the training and coordination device using openhands is prohibited.

Other specific games or training implementations with the attack sackinclude the following.

Dodge:

In this implementation, a player stands directly under the ball, throwsthe ball away from his or her current position and avoid or attempt toavoid being hit by the ball.

Dodge Advanced:

In this implementation a player stands directly underneath a restposition or underneath the point where the ball is attached and throwsthe ball behind them and attempt to avoid being hit by the ball.

Ninja Dodge (Jedi Dodge):

In this implementation, the player stands directly underneath a restposition or underneath the point where the ball is attached and with theplayers eyes closed, throws the ball away from his or her currentposition and attempt to avoid being hit by the ball.

Punch Basic:

Standing directly underneath a rest position or underneath the pointwhere the ball is attached a player punches the ball and makes contactor attempt to make contact with the ball every time the ball returnswhile avoiding being hit by the ball. Various types of punches or kickscan be used to make contact with the ball. For example, karate postures,kung fu postures, boxing postures, round house punches, jabs, and hooks.

Punch Forward:

A player begins by standing directly underneath a rest position orunderneath the point where the ball is attached and starts to lightlypunch the ball. As the ball extends away from the player the playersteps forward and attempt to keep the ball in front of the player theentire time.

Roving Punch:

In this implementation, a player begins by punching the ball and thenchases the ball or attempt to chase the ball around the room. The goalis to hit the ball as frequently as possible.

Shaolin Punch (5 Animal Punch):

In this implementation, a player begins by punching or tossing the ballto initiate the swinging of the ball. Using the concept of roving punch,the player tracks and targets the ball using contact postures such asshaolin animal fists to make contact with the ball. Other examples ofcontact postures include, crane's beak, drunken fist, tiger claw, mantisfist, monkey's paw, dragon claw and leopard paw.

Kick it:

In this implementation, a player begins by kicking the ball andcontinues to use foot movements to hit the ball and avoid being tagged(i.e. avoid having the ball making contact with a set of predeterminedparts of the players' body)

Toss and Catch:

In this implementation, a player stands directly underneath a restposition or underneath the point where the ball is attached and throwsthe ball away from the player and catch or attempt to catch the ball onits rebound.

Target Toss:

In this implementation, the player stands directly underneath a restposition or underneath the point where the ball is attached and throwsthe ball away from the player and attempt to tag a specific spot or markon a wall or tree and catch the ball on its rebound.

Other specific games or training implementations with the attack sackinclude multi player games such as the “Attack Sack Sparring orCompetition Attack Sack.” In this implementation, the players stand in acircle or opposite each other (within a play area or court) surroundingthe ball. Contact is made with the ball by punching or kicking the balltowards the other players. Making contact with the ball in somepredetermined body parts of a player is considered safe. For example,the fingertips up to and including the elbows and tips of toes up to andincluding the knees are “armored” or safe areas that don't constitute atag if you are contacted or “hit” or “tagged” by the ball. Any otherarea of the body that is hit by the ball is a tag. In someimplementations the players only move one space in the circle to theright. The game can be initiated with each player having a number ofpoints. Each time the player is hit or tagged the points are reducedaccordingly until the player is out of points and subsequently out ofthe game. Players continue to circulate the court on each occurrence ofa tag. Players may move about (though not too far out of their playarea) and can use any technique of kicking and punching. Somecompetition games or rounds of the game (a series of game play ending insomeone getting tagged) are limited to only kicking or only crane styleor elbows only.

FIG. 7 is another flow chart of an exemplary method for improvingcoordination skills of multiple users 40 with the training andcoordination device. The method can be implemented as a game or as atraining tool. At block 700 the method starts with a plurality of usersassembling around the training and coordination device 10. The methodthen continues to block 710 where a user 40 of a plurality of usersmakes a first contact with the projectile member 20 (e.g., sack) at theend of training and coordination device using at least one allowablepredetermined body part and avoiding contact with other body parts. Atblock 720, the projectile member 20 is set into a random motion due tothe first contact made by the user 40. Finally at block 730 any of theplurality of users makes contact with the training and coordinationdevice with at least one allowable predetermined body part. In someembodiments, making contact with the projectile member with any bodypart other than an allowable body part comprises an illegal contact forthe game, and accounts for a score against the user 40. In someembodiments, the training and coordination device 10 can be served bythe last user 40 who made an illegal contact with the training andcoordination device 10 using the wrong body part. In some embodiments,multiple body parts are allowed for contract. The allowablepredetermined body part may include parts of the user's 40 body from thefingertips to the elbows and from the knees to the toes. These parts ofthe user's 40 body can be used to make contact with the projectilemember 20. All other parts of the user's 40 body are predeterminedavoidable or illegal body parts, i.e. non-allowed body parts. In otherembodiments, a user 40 may not receive a negative score if hit by theprojectile member 20 after making the initial contact with theprojectile member 20 or after the projectile member 20 is contacted bythe string 30. On the other hand, a user 40 may receive a negative scoreif hit by the projectile member 20 after a different user 40 makescontact with the projectile member 20. In some embodiments, when a user40 makes contact with the training and coordination device using thewrong or non-allowed body part, the plurality of users move in apredetermined direction. The predetermined direction is one of aclockwise and counterclockwise direction.

FIGS. 8A through 8Z include example illustrations of the multiplemartial arts maneuvers for making contact with the training andcoordination device. The maneuvers require making contact with differentparts of the user's 40 body while the user 40 is positioned in adifferent martial arts stance. For example, FIG. 8A the user 40 makescontact with the projectile member 20 (e.g., sack) with a front snap tothe shin maneuver. FIG. 8B illustrates a front snap to the lower backmaneuver. FIG. 8C illustrates a front heel kick to the shin maneuver.FIG. 8D illustrates a front snap with the heel to the chin maneuver andFIG. 8E illustrates a front snap to the ribs maneuver. Some of themartial maneuvers include crane's beak, tiger's claw, sword hand,roundhouse kick, snap kick, long legged kick.

Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varyingways for each particular application, but such implementation decisionsshould not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of theinvention.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Variousmodifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can beapplied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description anddrawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention and are therefore representative of the subject matterwhich is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is furtherunderstood that the scope of the present invention fully encompassesother embodiments and that the scope of the present invention isaccordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving coordination of a userusing a training and coordination device, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a string formed of a first section and a secondsection having first and second ends respectively; the first end of saidfirst section associated with a first end of said string, and the secondend of said first section terminating at a predetermined point spacedfrom the second end of said second section, said first section beingformed of a single, uninterrupted strand portion having elasticity; thesecond end of said second section associated with a second end of saidstring, said second section including a multi-strand portion, saidmulti-strand portion including at least three separate strands andhaving a length of about one to two feet, said first end of saidmulti-strand portion attaching to said second end of said single,uninterrupted strand portion; attaching said first end of said string toa fixed location; attaching said second end of said string to aprojectile member; freely suspending said projectile member from saidfixed location; positioning the user at a selected first position on asupport surface; said user making a first contact with said freelysuspended projectile member, thereby randomly moving said projectilemember with respect to said user, wherein said elasticity of said singlestrand portion and said at least three separate strands of saidmulti-strand portion, produce said random motion in said projectilemember; moving said user from said first selected position to a secondposition; and said user making a further contact with said projectilemember prior to said projectile member returning to a rest position. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein making the first contact with theprojectile member includes tossing the projectile member.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein tossing the projectile member comprises tossing theprojectile member toward a specific target.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the moving said user from said first selected position to saidsecond position comprises taking one or more steps forward and making asecond contact with the projectile member.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein making the further contact comprises catching the projectilemember.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected first position ofthe user before making a first contact with the projectile member isdirectly below the fixed location at which the first end of said stringis attached.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein making the first contactwith the projectile member comprises punching the projectile member. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein the user makes contact with theprojectile member and follows up with subsequent contacts as theprojectile member moves away from the user.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein making contact comprises kicking the projectile member.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the user avoids contact with the projectilemember after making contact with the projectile member.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the step of making the first contact comprisespropelling the projectile member towards a target location.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of making the first contact includesone of blocking, kicking, punching, striking, tagging and hitting theprojectile member.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the projectilemember is a bean bag containing plastic pellets.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the string is made of polyester material.
 15. A method forimproving coordination of a user using a training and coordinationdevice, the method comprising the steps of: providing a string formed ofa first section and a second section having first and second endsrespectively; the first end of said first section associated with afirst end of said string, and the second end of said first sectionterminating at a predetermined point spaced from the second end of saidsecond section, said first section being formed of a single,uninterrupted strand portion having elasticity; the second end of saidsecond section associated with a second end of said string, said secondsection including a multi-strand portion, said multi-strand portionincluding at least three separate strands and having a length of aboutone to two feet, said first end of said multi-strand portion attachingto said second end of said single, uninterrupted strand portion;attaching said first end of said string to a fixed location; attachingsaid second end of said string to a projectile member; freely suspendingsaid projectile member from said fixed location; determining which userbody parts are can be contacted (allowed body parts) and which user bodyparts are to be avoided (non-allowed body parts) during the training;assembling a plurality of users around the freely suspended projectilemember; one of said plurality of users making a first contact with thefreely suspended projectile member using at least one allowablepredetermined body part and avoiding contact with other, non-allowedbody parts, wherein after the first contact is made by one of saidplurality of users, said elasticity of said single strand portion andsaid at least three separate strands of said multistrand portion,produces said random motion in said projectile member; and any one ofsaid plurality of users making a second contact with the freelysuspended projectile member and randomly moving said projectile memberwith at least one allowable predetermined body part while avoidingcontact with the projectile member by any non-allowed body part in orderto improve user coordination.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein theuser makes contact with the projectile member while outside thecircumference of a marked circle.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising computing scores against users which comprise a count for anycontact by a non-allowed body part of the user with the projectilemember.
 18. The method claim 15, wherein making contact with thetraining and coordination device using open hands is prohibited.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the plurality of users are assembled in acircle around the training and coordination device.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising stopping play when a user contacts theprojectile member with a non-allowed body part, followed by the user whocontacted the projectile member throwing the projectile member back intoplay.
 21. The method of claim 15, further comprising the plurality ofusers moving in a predetermined direction each time a user makes contactwith the projectile member using a non-allowed body part.
 22. The methodof claim 21, wherein the predetermined direction is one of a clockwiseand counterclockwise direction.
 23. The method of claim 15, wherein thestep of making contact by a player comprises propelling the projectilemember towards another player.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein eachplayer attempts to avoid contact with the projectile member withnon-allowed body parts and to make contact with the projectile memberusing an allowable body part when propelling the projectile membertowards another player.